Environmental Amelioration with Improved EC Fiber Bags and Processes Particularly Useful for Mitigation of Erosion in Challenged Areas

ABSTRACT

Improved EC Types of fiber bags drives minimum negative environment impact with installation, up to at least tertiary level adverse water or rain events do not substantially degrade the mechanical integrity or erosion mitigating impact of structures or landscapes ameliorated on a long term basis or mitigated from hazard to acceptable levels and compliance with regulatory and cost structures for said system are maintained more efficiently than known systems, as maintained for examples in special purpose processing or computing media.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosures relate to the use of improved techniques, processes and materials to repair and control erosion of native soil to facilitate restoration of the native plant material.

The present disclosure further relates to managing environmentally sensitive areas including via generation of improved “fiber bag” assemblies, using materials already approved for use by the U.S. Forest Service.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, novel enhanced systems and improved fiber bags, whereby, minimum negative environment impact happens with installation, at least about several adverse water or rain events do not substantially degrade the mechanical integrity or erosion mitigating impact of structures or landscapes ameliorated thereby, and compliance with regulatory and cost structures for said system are maintained more efficiently than known systems

According to embodiments there is provided a novel enhanced system for amelioration of environmentally sensitive areas, which comprises, in combination; rapid assessment of a site in order to stop further erosion and divert or slow any further water flow, and to repair compromised extant structures (for example, straw wattles) without damaging the establishing plant material, providing improved fiber bags effective for flow management and erosion mitigation, preparing and filling the improved fiber bags on site, bolstering compromised extant structures by sub-adjacent placement of fiber bags on flow line of existing erosion rills;

supplementing the structure by spacing of fiber bag check dams, along the compromised structures and between them vertical to erosion rills, optional, hand seeding; and repeating any of the above steps as necessary with the same or different seed mixtures or no seed.

According to embodiments, there is disclosed a system further comprising, preparing and filling the improved fiber bags on site, by having them filled on hillside pumped through a hose from the hydroseeder machine.

According to embodiments, there are disclosed improved fiber bags, comprising, in combination, an assembly of any material such as those having performance characteristics like burlap or a related and functionally equivalent fabric material further comprising a top and a bottom side (at least two layers) joined at the seams, defining an open receptacle having an aperture in a first namely open position, whereby when filled with hydraulically mixed contents to a desired level, the assembly is finished by joining and closing said aperture by eliminating said aperture by joining the top and bottom sides in a second namely closed position.

According to embodiments, there is provided, a process for implementing environmental amelioration using improved EC fiber bags, comprising, in combination;

-   -   minimum negative environment impact happens with installation;     -   multiple several adverse water or rain events do not         substantially degrade the mechanical integrity or erosion         mitigating impact of structures or landscapes ameliorated         thereby; and     -   compliance with regulatory and cost structures for said system         are maintained more efficiently than known systems, including         with special purpose processing and computing media.

According to embodiments, there is provided, a process for implementing environmental amelioration using improved EC fiber bags, further comprising;

-   -   Exclusive use of materials already approved for use by the U.S.         Forest Service.     -   According to embodiments there is provided a process for         implementing environmental amelioration using improved EC fiber         bags, further comprising:     -   Enhanced repair and control erosion of native soil to facilitate         restoration of the native plant material.

According to embodiments there is provided, Improved EC type of fiber bags, comprising, in combination:

-   -   non-toxic, biodegradable materials for use in environmentally         sensitive areas;     -   the ability to be readily deployed or removed via access remote         or difficult site conditions with minimal impact including         without the need to use heavy equipment; and     -   effective erosion and sediment protection on sites as installed.

According to embodiments there is provided, Improved EC type of fiber bags, comprising:

-   -   Any size or scale of empty vessel, effective to receive fill         materials, and be lodged and/or emplaced to ameliorate or         mitigate challenged environmental areas.

According to embodiments there is provided, an Improved EC type of fiber bags, being any size or scale of empty vessel, effective to receive fill materials, and be lodged and/or emplaced to ameliorate or mitigate challenged environmental areas, capable of being hydraulically pumped through hose using a hydroseeder machine.

According to embodiments, there is provided, improved EC type of fiber bags, being any size or scale of empty vessel, effective to receive fill materials, and be lodged and/or emplaced to ameliorate or mitigate challenged environmental areas, being hydraulically pumped through hose using a hydroseeder machine, and associated and applied hardware and software.

According to embodiments there is provided a system, managed by an application for personal microelectronic interfacing or usages including interface apparatus from the groups of smart-tablets/devices/phone/cell phones used by any known or later developed platforms, wireless and recognized protocols including being accomplished in a manner similar to Bluetooth, 802.11 WiFi, SONAR, UltraSound or other wireless communications protocols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various preferred embodiments are described herein with references to the drawings in which merely illustrative views are offered for consideration, whereby:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of preparing and filling the objects of the present invention:

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of preparing and filling the objects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view of a system according to the present inventions:

FIG. 4 shows size of improved fiber bags after several rain events;

FIG. 5 shows comparison of failed straw wattles next to the instant system;

FIG. 6 shows a successful installation according to the present inventions; and

FIG. 7 shows effective maintenance of structural integrity after several main events.

There is no need for corresponding reference characters indicating corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings, a skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity, and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

The present inventor has mastered use of improved fiber bags to help with environmental erosion issues. The examples below are illustrative and not intended to be limiting and the claims define what is respectfully submitted as proprietary.

As defined herein, ‘fiber bags’ and ‘EC fiber bags’ are a subject matter invented for use within the environmental amelioration field and so, while illustratively offered for consideration with one clear example, eg. Hydroseeding—certainly are not limited in being those materials (such as woven and stranded burlap), in fact the present inventor offers product sets with related materials having predetermined porosity and ability to maintain a prescribed volume over time, any of which, from naturals to synthetics and newer materials, are within the scope of the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, filling or the improved EC fiber bags is shown in an illustrative, but not limiting fashion. A user of ordinary skill fills the bag as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, by deformingly filling the same with a desired mixture, either here as shown in FIG. 2 on site, or off-site.

FIG. 3 shows that the mechanical properties of the subject bag are de-limited (as claimed below) in that they can be as large or small as needed, and simply deform less than their plastic-limit so that they can be somewhat enlarged elastically, but not outside of their filled dimensions, in these embodiments. Placing the slightly swelled bags proximate the zone of treatment is linear to the area being addressed.

FIG. 4 shows tamping and adjusting the, for example, EC fiber bags into alignment to prevent erosion. FIG. 5 shows an entire line or row of EC fiber bags spanning a hillside to prevent erosion, juxtaposed are a series of failed conventional straw wattles.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a final assembly, according to the present invention, whereby a step-like or tiered structure can be maintained, FIG. 7 shows the same sight after significant weather events.

Those skilled in the art realize that the instant system is superior to prior systems to such a degree that demand has created a patentable subject matter and such relief is hereby earnestly solicited.

EXAMPLES

In late winter, the company hydroseeded an environmentally sensitive site in Angeles National Forest to facilitate restoration of the native plant material. The site had been scarified and straw wattles installed by others prior to our hydroseeding installation. This particular site was very steep and approximately 800′ high. It is located near Templin Highway and Interstate 5 in Los Angeles County.

On May 17, 2016, Company was requested to review the site conditions and make recommendations, Water from a three-inch rain storm had flowed over the site and undermined the straw wattles leaving a track of severe rills down the approximate center of the entire slope. There was significant germination and growth of new native plant material on the vast majority of the site on the areas that had not eroded. The need was to stop further erosion and divert or slow any further water flow, and to repair undermined straw wattles without damaging the establishing plant material.

The constraints on this site were:

1. Sufficient on-site soil was not available to fill approximately 600 sand/soil bags required to partially fill the erosion rills and bolster the wattles.

2. Importing soil was not an option as off-site soil is difficult to get approved and presents issues such as weed seed. Also, heavy equipment or significant hand labor would be required to transport filled bags up the steep hill, which would destroy new plant growth.

3. Because of the emerging native plants, special care had to be taken to prevent damage to the seedlings and small plants.

Company determined to re-invent or to create “fiber bags” using materials already approved for use on the site by the U.S. Forest Service. The materials were previously used during the hydroseeding process. Empty biodegradable burlap bags would be transported up the hill by hand. The bags would be filled on the hill with wood fiber hydromulch combined with an organic soil binder. Company would mix the materials and pump the slurry up the slope through a hose using a small crew (5 men) and a large hydroseeder. The hydraulically filled fiber bags were allowed to drain excess water and were placed to bolster the straw wattles, to create small retention basins, and to create diversion dams in the rills.

The concept was that when rains came, the material in the fiber bags would re-hydrate, causing the bags to swell slightly and increasing the weight of the bag. This would stabilize the diversion dams and wattles. The reinforced wattles and diversion dams would collect sediment and water and cause the plant material to grow for permanent erosion protection and reestablishment of the habitat.

Results:

Company installed the bags using the new process on May 25, 2016. Company also re-seeded the impacted areas to encourage growth in the rills. The rain season of 2016-2017 was one of the heaviest in many years. Upon review of the site after several heavy rain events, there was no further erosion and the fiber bags were all intact and performing. The native plants were flourishing. The bags worked better than expected and are proving to be a new Best Management Practice (BMP).

Company has installed 300 additional bags on additional sites in Angeles National Forest with excellent performance. We discovered that the bags could be used in place of straw wattles for causing surface water to sheet and collect sediment; as well as for lining small diversion channels and water bars. We also believe that seed can be utilized with the bags in the future to create pods for germinating and growing natve and non-native plants.

Benefits to the end user are:

1. Lower costs

2. Non-toxic, biodegradable materials for use in environmentally sensitive areas.

3. The ability to access remote or difficult site conditions with minimal impact without the need to use heavy equipment.

4. Effective erosion and sediment protection on all sites.

Example: Project for Instant System Fill and Install Burlap Bags:

Approximately 600 Burlap Bags to be filled on hillside pumped through hydroseeder machine.

Filled with Wood Fiber Mulch and organic soil stabilant and placed adjacent to existing wattles on flow line of existing erosion rills. The spacing of the burlap bag check dams will be along the wattles and between the wattles vertical to erosion rills.

Hand Seed Approximately 0.25 Acres of disturbed areas.

Seed Mix May be Modified as Necessary

While several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present disclosure is/are used.

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the disclosure described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present disclosure is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified, unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described (or portions thereof), and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such equivalents.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language mans that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using consisting of or consisting essentially of language. When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the transition term “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s), Embodiments of the invention so claimed are inherently or expressly described and enabled herein.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A novel enhanced system for amelioration of environmentally sensitive areas, which comprises, in combination: rapid assessment of a site in order to stop further erosion and divert or slow any further water flow, and to repair compromised extant structures (for example straw wattles) without damaging the establishing plant material; providing improved fiber bags effective for silt collection and erosion mitigation; preparing and filling the improved fiber bags on site; bolstering compromised extant structures by sub-adjacent placement of fiber bags on flow line of existing erosion rills; supplementing the structure by spacing of fiber bag check dams, along the compromised structures and between them vertical to erosion rils; repeating any of the above steps as necessary with or without seed mixtures.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising Preparing and Filling the improved fiber bags on site, by having them filled on hillside with mixed materials hydraulically pumped through hose using hydroseeder machine, namely using hydraulic means or functional equivalents.
 3. The system of claim 2, installing the improved fiber bags on site after filling them.
 4. The system of claim 3, whereby a safe distance is established between the area or site being treated and the means for transporting the fiber bags to said zone, whereby electronic records of the same are maintained.
 5. Improved fiber bags, comprising, in combination: an assembly of burlap-type of bag or a functionally equivalent fabric material further comprising a top and a bottom side (at least two layers) joined at seams defining an open receptacle having aperture in a first namely open position; whereby when filled with contents to a desired level, the assembly is finished by joining and closing said aperture by eliminating said aperture by joining the top and bottom sides in a second namely closed position.
 6. The improved fiber bags as defined in claim 5, hydraulically mixed.
 7. The improved fiber bags defined by claim 6, further comprising: At least Wood Fiber Mulch and Organic M-Binder.
 8. The improved fiber bags defined by claim 7, further comprising: At least one material from the group consisting of — Wood fiber, paper fiber, and compost.
 9. The improved fiber bags defined by claim 8, further comprising: Any other material which is able to be hydraulic process filled into said bags.
 10. The improved fiber bags defined by claim 9, further comprising: any other material which is able to be filled into said bags.
 11. A process for implementing environmental amelioration using improved EC fiber bags, comprising, in combination; minimum negative environment impact happens with installation; multiple several adverse water or rain events do not substantially degrade the mechanical integrity or erosion mitigating impact of structures or landscapes ameliorated thereby; and compliance with regulatory and cost structures for said system are maintained more efficiently than known systems, including with special purpose processing and computing media.
 12. The process for implementing environmental amelioration using improved EC fiber bags, further comprising: Exclusive use of materials already approved for use by the U.S. Forest Service.
 13. The process for implementing environmental amelioration using improved EC fiber bags, further comprising: Enhanced repair and control erosion of native soil to facilitate restoration of the native plant material.
 14. Improved EC type of fiber bags, comprising, in combination: non-toxic, biodegradable materials for use in environmentally sensitive areas: the ability to be readily deployed or removed via access remote or difficult site conditions with minimal impact including without the need to use heavy equipment; and effective erosion and sediment protection on on sites as installed.
 15. Improved EC type of fiber bags, as defined in claim 14, comprising: Any size or scale of empty vessel, effective to receive fill materials, and be lodged and/or emplaced to ameliorate or mitigate challenged environmental areas.
 16. Improved EC type of fiber bags, as defined in claim 15, comprising: Any size or scale of empty vessel, effective to receive fill materials, and be lodged and/or emplaced to ameliorate or mitigate challenged environmental areas, capable of being hydraulically pumped through hose using a hydroseeder machine.
 17. Improved EC type of fiber bags, as defined in claim 16, comprising: Any size or scale of empty vessel, effective to receive fill materials, and be lodged and/or emplaced to ameliorate or mitigate challenged environmental areas, being hydraulically pumped through hose using a hydroseeder machine, and associated and applied hardware and software.
 18. The system of claim 4, managed by an application for personal microelectronic interfacing or usages including interface apparatus from the groups of smart-tablets/devices/phone/cell phones used by any known or later developed platforms, wireless and recognized protocols including being accomplished in a manner similar to Bluetooth, 802.11 WiFi, SONAR, UltraSound or other wireless communications protocols. 